Lakewood (Ohio) Hospital would close and be replaced by a $34 million family healthcare clinic under a tentative agreement between Cleveland Clinic, Lakewood Hospital Association and lawyers for the city of Lakewood, according to a Crain's Cleveland Business report.
In January, Cleveland Clinic and city officials announced plans to close 263-bed Lakewood Hospital by 2016. That plan was met with strong opposition. In May, a group of community activists filed a lawsuit against Cleveland Clinic in an attempt to get the system to continue leasing Lakewood Hospital through 2026.
The agreement, which still must be adopted by the city council, calls for Cleveland Clinic to pay $34 million for a 62,100-square-foot family healthcare center in Lakewood. The new center, called Lakewood Family Health Center, would include outpatient-based programs, an emergency department, wellness activities and outreach services, according to the report.
Cleveland Clinic would also contribute $7 million for the redevelopment of the land where Lakewood Hospital is located. As of now, it is unclear what the building would be used for after it closes.
If the agreement is adopted, Cleveland Clinic would begin construction on Lakewood Family Health Center in fall 2016. The emergency department at the current hospital would remain open through construction of the new center, according to the report.
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